New Rider - Passing the MOST on a cruiser??

Hello Canberra Riders,
First off what a great site!
I have been reading posts for the past few days and there is a lot of great local information on here, particularly for new riders.

I am a male in late 30's and finally decided to get my motorcycle licence. Always wanted to get it but just never got around to it (either lack of money or busy with young kids). I finally got around to it last Wednesday and completed the Stay Upright course and picked up my learners licence the next day. I am looking to get myself setup with the safety gear over the next week or so.

Don't have a bike but without a doubt I ultimately want a cruiser style bike. Simply always wanted one. Something with the v-twin setup really appeals to me.

To be honest I am not all that confident on the bike yet. Went really well on the L's course (better than expected) but I am sure out on the open road is a different story, especially in Canberra. To start off with I was thinking a 250 cruiser (yamaha virago/v-star, suzuki intruder, honda VT) until I get comfortable on a bike and build up my bike skills then look at upgrading to something a bit bigger and more suited to the open highway. I am about 5'11" and around 90kgs. I don't mind if the bike struggles a bit at the higher speeds (80kph+) while I build up confidence.

From reading various posts on this site it seems that the cruisers might not be the best option for passing the MOST P's test. I'll love to hear any feedback from anyone who has gone through the P's test with a cruiser. I'd really like to get a small cruiser straight up but if makes getting my P's a lot more difficult then I might consider a basic naked style bike for the short term. I am not in too much of a rush to get my P's so if it is just a matter of a bit more experience then I am happy to put in the time.

I think the learners group rides are a great idea an look forward to joining in on some in the near future.

 

Buy a cruiser, hire a boring bike for the test


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Smoke signals.

 

Test can be done on a cruiser.. I've seen it happen..

 

Buy a mid sized cruiser (250s are not very good IMO), do test on said cruiser. Seeing as you can do the MOST on them with a reasonable amount of practice, I feel you may as well do it on your actual bike.

Edit: Note: I did test on a Suzuki Boulevard C50 (800cc).
Edit 2: If you want a cruiser to last at least a while I recommend a Yammaha V-star 650, Honda VT750, Suzuki Boulevard C/M50, or a Kawasaki Vulcan 900.

 

note that Virago/Vstar 250's aren't a full size bike and at 5'11 you will probably feel cramped on it. There is also the Kawasaki EL which comes in 400cc . I can't remember what the new name for the Kawasaki Eliminator is.

 

Hey Eddie welcome aboard. Did my MOST on a Vulcan 900 and passed first time. Agree with comments above that a 250 might be a bit small for you but that said I just got the missus a 250 intruder and it's a blast to ride

 

As long as you are comfortable on the cruiser you should be able to use the torque to pull yourself through the u turn!

 

The u turn is one of the easier parts of the test on a cruiser, the cone weave is probably the most difficult.

 

G'day Eddie and welcome to CR. What has been said here is correct. My first bike was a Yamaha V Star 650 and I am 6'3" and a little bit heavier than you. I leant to ride *MY* bike and passed test on it. I think this is the best advise cause theer is no point learning to ride someone elses bike then taking yours out on the road.

Just my 2 bobs worth

 

Welcome.

And what they said, test is possible on a cruiser, just have to know the bike, use the right technique and practice.

 

Hi Eddie & welcome aboard.

I attempted my P's on my Virago 250 but wasn't comfortable in the U turn and thus failed, but with practice and knowledge it can be done. I have both the 250 & a V-star 650 if you want to have a sit on either before you buy. PM me.. not sure where you are but I am in Queanbeyan.. Good luck

 

Gazman, the eliminator is the VN250 round these parts (thats what i ride.)

As has been said, the test can be done on a cruiser, you just need to practice a bit more.
I have found in my practicing the cone weave requires a bit more concentration (due to a longer wheelbase) and the U-turn is a bit tougher as you really need to set yourself up and lean the bike (not the rider) to get around it, usually due to a combination of longer wheelbase and wider turning circle.
as for the capacity, well thats up to you. I have been on my 250 cruiser for 3 1/2 years now.
Its a good bike, gets me around nicely, runs fine without struggling upto 140, very easy to ride and have fun on, very forgiving.
there is obvious benefits to cheaper rego and fuel costs being only a 250cc.
I have even done a couple of long tours on it, one of them 3 days long, luggage and all.
I would be a little shorter than you and about half a human heavier and the bike handles it fine.
Im now at the point where i would like to upgrade to a larger capacity, probably 1100cc or there abouts.

The VN250 eliminator is a bit longer than the typical virago/intruder frame, so you dont feel as squished up on it. Most people dont even think its a 250cc at first glance, it definately looks a lot bigger.
Your more than welcome to have a seat on it and see how it feels, maybe even buy it off me for the right price?

 

Welcome Eddie!
Check this out, its a US slow manoeuvre course on a Harley!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqRvqw4YXtY&feature=related

 

Bause!!

 

Thanks for all the feedback so quickly. Such a great place for beginner riders to find out info and get feedback.

Sounds like the MOST on a cruiser is possible with practice. I don't mind taking a little longer to get my Ps and having to practice a bit more. I'd prefer to do it on a bike that I will actually be riding afterwards. Guess I was just after confirmation that I wasn't being stupid to attempt the Ps test on a cruiser.

I'll look into some of the other bike suggestions too. I completely over looked the kawasaki eliminator and vulcans which do look pretty nice.

Thanks also for the offers to sit on the various models. I'll definitely take a couple of you up on the offer and PM you.

Hope to see you on the road soon.

 

Hi welcome to CR! I agree that practicing/doing the MOST on the bike you intend to ride is a good idea (says me a newish learner )
However I have decided to learn on a little light naked bike (CBF 250) to make it as easy as possible to get the basic skills. I'm abit smaller then you though so the size and weight of starter bike was an important factor for me.

Buy [MENTION=39353]Cruiser[/MENTION]s' bike, it's sweet

 

lol, thanks rhi

 

Orrrrr don't buy it, and Alan can keep it for a couple of months then sell it too me lol!

 

hahaha, well, eventually at some point when im not being incredibly lazy, i may actually put it up for sale for real, till then, it'll pretty much be a case of someone 'convincing' me i want to part with it
edit: I would also straight swap for a Suzuki sierra with rego

 

or a CBF?